FAQs
BACKGROUND
Why is Hallmark doing this?
ENTERING
Who is eligible to participate in this contest?
How do I submit my design?
How do I know if Hallmark received my submission?
Can I submit a funny Birthday card? How about Get Well? Or Miss You?
Can I submit more than one card idea?
Can I submit a card idea with my friends?
When can I submit my design for the YourFunny*ness contest?
What are the file format specifications for submitting designs?
Would cell phone pictures work?
Can I manipulate my photo?
Can I use clip art or public domain images?
Can people be in the photo?
Can I make fun of a famous movie star or public figure?
How about submitting an imitation of a Hallmark character (i.e.: Hoops and YoYo, Revilo, Maxine)?
Can I sort of copy someone else's artwork such as licensed characters or copyrighted slogans?
Can I put words in my artwork on the cover?
What is a font and why should I care?
I'd like to submit an image for the inside of the card. Any way I can do that?
How do I save my file as a .pdf or .jpg?
Anything I should avoid in my photo that could get me disqualified?
I've got a BRILLIANT card idea that doesn't relate to this contest; can I submit that to Hallmark for consideration?
JUDGING
18? That's a funny number, why only 18 finalists?
How are the finalists and Grand Prize Winner chosen?
VOTING
When does voting begin and end?
Can I vote more than once?
What if there is a tie for the Grand Prize Winner at the end of the voting period?
If I am a finalist, do my friends' and family's votes count for my card?
WINNERS & PRIZES
What are the prizes for this contest?
What happens if I'm selected as a finalist in the competition?
How will I know if my idea wins the Grand Prize?
OTHER
Where can I purchase the finalist designs online?
Will there be other contests similar to this one that I can enter?
Answers
BACKGROUND
Why is Hallmark doing this? [top]
One of the top consumer questions we hear at Hallmark is "Where can I submit my designs?" and "Where can I submit my writing?" We care (really) and we know you're talented (truly), and thanks to advances in technology and some crafty thinking, we are excited to say that the time is right and we think we've figured out a way to do this thing right (hopefully).
So here you see the results of our sincere attempt to support your creative efforts and to give you a platform from which to speak, so to speak. We are hoping this is only a start and that you'll be as excited as we are about making greeting cards and sharing them with the world. Creating cards is a fun and rewarding process. But you probably already know that, don't you?
Thanks for coming along on this journey. Please excuse any bumps along the road as we figure how to blaze the trail, together.
ENTERING
Who is eligible to participate in this contest? [top]
You. Maybe. Read on: This contest is open to US residents and residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) age 15 and older as of March 3rd, 2008, but not including employees of Hallmark and its subsidiaries and affiliates and all direct family members of those employees, and employees of American Greetings or Recycled Paper Greetings. More information.
How do I submit my design? [top]
Fill out the Official Contest Entry Form online, completing steps one through five.
How do I know if Hallmark received my submission? [top]
Upon receipt of your submission, you will receive an email confirmation letting you know we received your submission. Please add info@hallmarkcontests.com to your contact list in your email address book -- you don't want to miss anything we might want to send you! (Particularly and specifically, if you are selected as one of our funny, funny finalists.)
Can I submit a funny Birthday card? How about Get Well? Or Miss You? [top]
No, no, and no. For this contest, we're looking for "Just For Fun" cards that could be shared and sent for any random reason (no particular occasion), any day of the year just to spread more laughter around. Who doesn't need that?
Can I submit more than one card idea? [top]
No, you overachiever, you. There is a limit of one entry per person in the YourFunny*ness competition.
Can I submit a card idea with my friends? [top]
Sorry, but nope. You've got to fly solo on this one. Only card ideas submitted by individuals will be valid. Tell your friends to submit their own card ideas for an opportunity to win. (And maybe promise to still be friends when you're the Grand Prize Winner and all famous and stuff.)
When can I submit my design for the YourFunny*ness contest? [top]
Submissions will be accepted from 12:01a.m. CST on March 3, 2008, to 11:59 p.m. CST on March 23, 2008. Precisely.
What are the file format specifications for submitting designs? [top ]
Content: You'll be submitting 2 things to us, your funny design and a "just-for-fun" sentiment.
File format & Dimensions: Entries must consist of an image in a high quality .jpg format. you submit a
photo as part of your design it must be 300 dpi or higher or your photo will look out of focus when printed and we'll have to disqualify it. The actual artwork or photo measurements should be a 4" x 6" photo or 1,200 x 1,800 pixels. Hallmark reserves the right to adjust and modify the font and adjust, modify and crop the image.
Color: Your artwork or photo can be in color (RGB) or black and white - whatever you like.
Would cell phone pictures work? [top ]
Generally speaking, no. The resolution is too low to look good when printed. Please give us a "high-res" photo so we don't have to disqualify you. (Please.)"
If I use a photo, can I manipulate it? [top]
Sure. More power to you. Just manipulate your photo before you upload the image. Know that sometimes that can make a card funnier. And sometimes it can take away from the funny.
Can I use clip art or public domain images? [top]
Nada. Your photo or artwork has to be your original design or image. We are looking for the real original funnyness of you!
Can people be in my photo? [top]
Sure! As long as they have a sense of humor and agree to be in your photo. We'll need you to get a model release signed by each one of them to have a legit card submission. If your card is selected as one of the 18 finalists, we'll contact you and ask for the releases at that time. Take a gander at the Model Release Form (PDF) if you're curious about what we'll need.
Can I make fun of famous movie star or public figure? [top]
No. You're the STAR in this one — leave all those celebs alone and give us your original funnyness!
How about submitting an imitation of a Hallmark character (i.e.: Hoops and Yoyo, Revilo, Maxine)? [top]
Sorry, Charlie— that won't work either. You've got so much creative juice in you — take the lid off and let your own comedic character flow!
Can I sort of copy someone else's artwork such as a licensed character or use copyrighted slogan? [top ]
No. Nada. Don't go there. (But we know you've got some wildly funny ideas in you so focus on what only you can do! )
Can I put words in my artwork on the cover? [top]
Of course you can, friend. And an added bonus... we'll even match the font you use on the inside of the card if you're one of the
final 18, so be sure to remember which font you used!
What's a font and why should I care? [top]
Pay attention to the font you use in your cover design (if you use one) because we'll match it inside if you're card is in the final 18.
I'd like to submit an image for the inside of the card. Any way I can do that? [top]
That's a great idea - but no. This contest only allows for one hilarious image on the front so gather all your visual funnyness into one spot.
How do I save my file as a .pdf or .jpg? [top]
A couple of programs that do this are Photoshop, Illustrator, Paint and Paintshop. Your digital camera will have settings to ensure the correct file size and type as well. We recommend you use your program's "Help" tool for more information on file formats, file size and resolution to ensure your design meets the specifications of the competition. If you're still not sure, we'd recommend using an online search engine to find out more.
Anything I should avoid in my design that could get me disqualified? [top]
Unfortunately, YES. Aside from needing to be a high enough resolution/dpi to print well, we will review cards for any trademark or brand name that is prominent and could lead the owner of that trademark to object. We will also review designs for any artwork that may be owned by someone else, for instance, a poster in the background or a photo studio portrait. We will also review for famous non-public landmarks (think of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame), as the owners of some of these claim legal rights in the use of their images.
Also, at the judges' discretion, entries including unsuitable content, insufficient photo resolution, sexually explicit or inappropriate content, descriptions or images of people or animals in unsafe conditions, or content that is in violation of third party rights (including, but not limited to, copyrights) will be immediately disqualified. Hallmark will use its sole discretion in determining whether an entry should be disqualified. More information.
I've got a BRILLIANT card idea that doesn't relate to this contest; can I submit that to Hallmark for consideration? [top]
Do not submit any designs that do not relate to this contest. We will be calling for additional card ideas later, so just keep that brilliance in your back pocket until it fits with our current contest theme. Okay? Thanks.
JUDGING
18? That's a funny number. Why 18 finalists? [top]
Funny you should ask. Actually, that's how many fit our card display at most of our stores. 18 fabulously funny finalist cards will hit the stores this summer!
How are the 18 finalists and Grand Prize Winner chosen? [top]
A panel of judges, including Hallmark and our comical experts, will select approximately 18 finalists from all eligible entries received to determine which card is the most Marketable. Entries will be judged based on (a) Funny: Humor that works on a card. (b) Original: It's your funny. Nobody else's. (c) "Sendable": All the funny comes together in a card people would actually send.
The judges will determine the 18 finalists' cards that will be produced; then everybody votes online to decide which one deserves to be the Grand Prize Winner!
VOTING
When does voting begin and end? [top]
The Grand Prize Winner will be determined by the Finalist card design that receives the largest number of online votes from approximately April 14, 2008 to August 31, 2008 at 11:59 pm CST. Also, from time to time during the voting period, maybe just maybe a Sponsor may announce "special" or "category" voting contest for prizes to be announced at those times. Details on all that action (if it happens) will come in good time. Sit tight.
Can I vote more than once? [top]
Yes! You can vote once every 24 hours during the entire voting period. Vote once or vote often, either way you will be heard!
What if there is a tie for the Grand Prize Winner at the end of the voting period? [top]
In the event of a tie at the end of the voting period, there will be rejudging by qualified judges.
If I am a finalist, do my friends' and family's votes count for my card? [top]
Yes, absolutely. Your friends and family can vote for your card every day of the voting period if they want to. Go ahead and spread the good word. We're all for it.
WINNERS & PRIZES
What are the prizes for this contest? [top]
18 Finalists:
- Card design will be printed and available for sale on Hallmark.com and at thousands of participating retailers from approximately June 16, 2008 through August 31, 2008.
- $250 cash award
- Eligibility for the Grand Prize and maybe even some Special Awards.
Grand Prize Winner:
- Card design will be available for sale on Hallmark.com for at least a year with the possibility of becoming part of the Shoebox collection and sold for a longer time at retail
- $100 worth of Shoebox cards
- An additional $1,000 cash award
- A weekend with Chicago's Second City, two night's stay, tickets to the show, meet the cast, improv workshop, walking tour of Chicago with Second City actor.
Mini-Contests:
From time to time during the contest period, we may hold special voting contests for all entrants. Watch on this Web site for details.
What happens if I'm selected as a finalist in the competition? [top]
We'll excitedly notify you of your winning status ("Hooray! You did it! Well done.") in early to mid April and have you sign a few more papers for our legal folks in order to seal the deal. Then we'll post some information about you on our Web site next to your card design (so voters can get to know you a little better) and fork over the sweet prizes mentioned above.
How will I know if my idea wins the Grand Prize? [top]
You'll be announced as the Grand Prize winner online, so everyone—all of your fans, friends and family—can celebrate your victory with you.
OTHER
Where can I purchase the finalist designs? [top]
Finalist designs will be offered at participating Hallmark retailers beginning mid-June and will be available through late August. All designs will also be offered for sale on Hallmark.com so you'll have at least three whole months to stock up on your favorites.
Will there be other contests similar to this one that I can enter? [top]
You betcha. We're hoping to announce another one or two in the next several months, so be sure to check back for details.
